Treated like Royalty

The only other times in my life when I felt like royalty occurred when I paid to be treated as such. These always involved some type of pampering – manicures, pedicures, facials and massages. Yet, there is no guilt over others fawning over you in these situations. You paid the price and now you enjoy.

Yesterday, we went to the O.P. Jindal English Medium School in Kothavalasa, Andra Pradesh. A lot of the HOINA children attend this private school where the classes are taught in English. Usually the children have school six days a week, but the special occasion of “Founder’s Day” brought them to school on a Sunday.

“Founder’s Day” celebrates the birthday of the late Sri Ram Jindal, as you guessed the founder of the school. Our group of 12 Penn Staters received a special invitation to the ceremony. We arrived on campus around 9:30 a.m. only to be received as royalty. Our HOINA brothers and sisters swarmed, claiming their favorite in our group to show off to their friends. Ashveni, a 14-year-old HOINA gal, escorted me around the campus taking me into each of the classrooms where the students were supposed to be quietly waiting for the start of the ceremony.Each classroom would erupt in greetings as soon as I entered, the students rising from their seats to wish me a “Happy Friendship Day”.

- Ashwini's seventh grade class
Instantly, twenty hands would be outstretched and a circle of children surrounded me. Some brave students, mostly the boys, stood on desks for a better view of the proceedings.Almost all of the children wanted their picture taken and loved when I showed them the digital image on my camera of the photo I just took. After a bit, Ashveni took over as photographer of our escapades, loving the power she had to document our journey.

Throughout the 45 minutes of appearances in 10 classrooms, I focused on not becoming overwhelmed by the situation. Rather, I made eye contact with one student at a time and asked their name. Then I attempted to pronounce each with giggles from my audience. Occasionally, I posed for pictures. The dark classrooms required we use a flash, with each picture revealing my sweaty face. This must be how royalty, powerful politicians and celebrities feel. A tiring experience, yet fantastic nonetheless. I am grateful I could greet the students with, “Happy Friendship Day”, which in my opinion put us on an equal level and garnered mutual understanding.